Article 37
Starting Times

A. Regularly assigned yard crews shall each have a fixed starting time and the starting time of a crew will not be changed without at least 48 hours' advance notice.  Practices as to handling of transfer crews are not affected by this section.

B. Where three 8-hour shifts are worked in continuous service, the time for the first shift to begin work will be between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.; the second, 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and the third, 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

C. Where two shifts are worked in continuous service, the first shift may be started during any one of the periods named in Section (B).

INTERPRETATION:

To be "three 8-hour shifts or two shifts worked in continuous service," as referred to in Section (B) and (C) respectively, above, crew assignments must be coupled, that is, one relieve the other without intermission.

D. Where two shifts are worked not in continuous service, the time for the first shift to begin work will be between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and the second not later than 10:30 p.m.

INTERPRETATION:

Agreed this paragraph is hereafter to be interpreted as applicable only at points where two and not more than two shifts are worked and crew assignments are not coupled so that one relieves the other without intermission. At such points the time for the first shift to begin work will be between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and the second shift between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

E. Where an independent assignment is worked regularly, the starting time will be during one of the periods provided in Section (B) or (D).

INTERPRETATION:

An Independent assignment is one not related by starting time to any other assignment (as distinguished from those assignments which are coupled as described in the interpretation under Section (B) and (C) hereof) and this regardless of the character of service performed.

The language "during one of the periods provided in Section (B) or (D)," shall hereafter be interpreted to mean that a yard engine in independent assignment may be started between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.; 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; 10:30 p.m. and 12:00 midnight, or between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and independent assignments will not be started between 4:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. or between 12:00 midnight and 6:30 a.m.

It is further understood and agreed that, subject to the note under Section (F) hereof, all regularly assigned yard crews other than those whose assignments are coupled under Section (B) or Section (C), or operated as two shifts not in continuous service under Section (D), will be deemed to be independent assignments.

F. It is hereby agreed that extra engines may be started in any of the periods mentioned in Section (B) or (C) and may be also started at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; in other words may be started between 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or between 10:30 p.m. and 12:00 midnight; except in emergency, may not be started at other hours.  Emergency shall be considered as applicable to engines called because of service necessitated by wrecks, washouts, or similar occurrences on line of road or in yards.  If an extra engine be called between 4:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. or between 12:00 midnight and 6:30 a.m. when not occasioned by such emergency, time shall be computed and paid for as though service had commenced at 4:00 p.m. or 12:00 midnight as the case may be.

If such extra engine is started between 4:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. or between 12:00 midnight and 6:30 a.m., except in emergency, it shall not be permitted to work after 12:00 midnight or 8:00 a.m., as the case may be.

The service in question will be paid for as follows:  On minute basis at pro rata rate for the time between 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight, as the case may be, and the time actually reporting for duty, and, in addition a  minimum day's pay at pro rata rate for the time between time of actually reporting for duty and time of relief, i.e. 12:00 midnight or 8:00 a.m. as the case may be.

Understood the above shall not be applicable to extra engines called to service perishable boat traffic at deepwater terminals; such extra engines may be started at any time.

NOTE:  Understood that "extra engines" as used in Section (F) hereof means an engine which is not started within one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes of the same time for more than five (5) consecutive days; if stated for more than five (5) days, as above, shall be considered and bulletined as an independent assignment and started within the hours named herein for starting independent assignments.

Agreed that effort will be made to avoid starting extra engines at odd times, this to the end that as many engines may be operated as regular three shift engines, or two shift engines, or independent assignments, as may be reasonable and practicable in the light of service requirements.

G. At points, where only one yard crew is regularly employed, they can be started at any time, subject to Section (A).

H. Where mutually agreeable, on account of conditions produced by having two standards of time, starting time may be changed one hour from periods above provided.

This page last updated: 03/06/2005